Project Overview
Planetary empathy includes deep reflection on one’s relationship with nature, curiosity about other worldviews, and assumption of responsibility for creating a healthier and more equitable world for current and future generations [1]. This project aimed to develop and conduct preliminary validation of the Planetary Empathy Scale, developed following a related concept analysis [2]. Psychometric testing identified the Planetary Empathy Scale to be a valid and reliable instrument. Participants demonstrated variable levels of planetary empathy. Frequency of time spent enjoying nature (e.g., walking in parks, hiking, gardening, visiting nature reserves) was significantly associated with high planetary empathy scores.
Project team:
This project was led by Distinguished Professor Tracy Levett-Jones, University of Technology Sydney. The project team members were:
- Dr Katie Tunks Leach – Australian Catholic University
- Dr Heidi Honneger Rogers – University of New Mexico
- Catelyn Richards – University of Technology Sydney
- Dr Aletha Ward – University of Queensland
- Associate Professor Samuel Lapkin – Griffith University
Publication
Levett-Jones, T., Tunks Leach, K., Honneger Rogers, H., Richards, C., Ward, A. & Lapkin, S. (2025). Development and preliminary validation of the Planetary Empathy Scale: An international study. Challenges: nurturing collective consciousness in the Anthropocene special edition. 16, 56, 1-15. https://doi.org/10.3390/challe16040056
If you would like to discover your own level of planetary empathy – take this quick survey.
References
1. Ward, A., Best, O., Richards, C., Tunks Leach, K., Levett-Jones, T. (2024). Dear Earth – Cultivating Planetary Empathy for the health of all. Teaching and Learning in Nursing. 19: 3, 209-210. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.teln.2024.04.020
2. Levett-Jones, T., Tunks Leach, K., Honneger Rogers, H., Richards, C., Best, O. & Ward, A. (2025). Interconnected health: A concept analysis of planetary empathy for healthcare professionals. Nursing Outlook. 102337. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.outlook.2024.102337